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'Don't Ask' Policy Is Utter Failure

Re ''Killer's Trial Shows Gay Soldier's Anguish'' (news article, Dec. 9): The ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy intended to help gays serving in the military directly mirrors the written or functional policy of most other institutions in our country. When Pfc. Barry Winchell's platoon sergeant testified that he did nothing to enforce Army regulations against the sort of harassment that Private Winchell was suffering because ''everyone was having fun,'' he could have been a teacher or administrator in the majority of schools in this city.

Gay students and gay educators have the same fears that Private Winchell had: exposure, ostracism and violence. They therefore suffer in silence in a system that despite the rules ignores their plight.